Impact of Immigration Concerns on Los Angeles High School Sports

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High school football practice in Los Angeles facing attendance issues due to immigration enforcement concerns.

News Summary

Fears surrounding immigration enforcement are disrupting high school football practices in Los Angeles, leading to decreased attendance and community engagement. Coaches are adapting training routines to alleviate parental concerns, but a recent deportation incident has heightened anxiety. Enrollment drops are affecting teams, particularly at Belmont High School, where attendance for football workouts has halved. The broader community atmosphere is changing due to immigration raids, impacting not just sports but overall interaction within the community, leaving coaches and players facing significant challenges.

Los Angeles—Fears surrounding immigration enforcement have disrupted summer practice sessions for high school football teams in Los Angeles, significantly affecting player attendance and community engagement. Over 20 players from Contreras Learning Center are skipping practice due to anxiety stemming from nearby Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. Coach Manuel Guevara attributes this trend largely to parents’ concerns about the safety of their children when leaving their homes.

In light of the ongoing crisis, Guevara, alongside coaches Michael Galvan from Roybal and Kenneth Daniels from Belmont, is working together to provide support for both players and their families. The coaches are adapting practice routines by conducting workouts on school grounds instead of away locations, aiming to alleviate parental fears regarding transportation and safety.

A stark example of these fears became evident when a 17-year-old Contreras athlete, Nory Santoy Ramos, was detained and subsequently deported after attending an immigration appointment. This incident has heightened concerns among players about their parents’ safety when attending games this fall. The Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has labeled schools as ‘safe havens’, but the commute to and from practices and games continues to be a source of anxiety.

Attendance issues are not limited to Contreras; Belmont High School has seen enrollment drop to under 700 students, negatively impacting its football program. Although 20 players signed up to play football this year, only about half are regularly attending workouts. This decline in participation comes as coaches report heightened worries about their players’ ability to safely travel for school and athletic activities amidst potential encounters with ICE.

The community atmosphere around MacArthur Park has noticeably quieted due to these immigration raids, with reduced activity impacting not just sports but broader community interactions. The Garfield-Roosevelt game, a highly anticipated matchup known as the East L.A. Classic, is currently being reassessed for safety protocols and venue location in light of ongoing ICE operations.

Coaches have also voiced their concern about the various distractions players face, which include family responsibilities and safety worries. These factors contribute to disrupted team dynamics, complicating the already challenging landscape of high school sports programs. The impact of reduced participation is further exacerbated by existing budget cuts straining school athletics resources.

As team members and families navigate this precarious environment, the challenges they face extend beyond the football field, reflecting a broader struggle within the community. Coaches remain dedicated to fostering a supportive atmosphere while addressing the urgent needs of their players and their families during this difficult time.

In summary, the combination of immigration fears, safety concerns surrounding student transportation, and reduced community engagement has deeply affected high school football programs in Los Angeles, presenting a complex set of challenges for players, coaches, and families alike. As schools work to create secure environments, the uncertainty regarding attendance and participation continues to loom large over the upcoming season.